How many training camps is this for you?

[jobberone]

Back in the Parcells era, he had the Cowboys morning practice at Burbank High School here in San Antonio, which was great because you get right close to the action. One day, I was watching the OL from about 20 feet away, when Flozell proceeded to beat the crap out of Torrin Tucker. He had him like a rag doll, and they let him go for a couple of minutes. Then Larry Allen stepped in and Vollers got a hold of Tucker and took him aside. Flozell lunged back at Tucker and Larry gave him push with one arm, and almost sat Flo on his behind. That was the end of the fight.

That same practice, Sean Payton grew frustrated with the QBs, (Quincy, Hutch, Romo and Stoerner or Henson) and started yelling at Parcells to let him go with Romo, "I want Romo in there." I'm pretty sure it was romo's rookie year.

Great memories from past TC.

This is a great story. Thanks so much for sharing it.

I can see why Sean wanted Romo. I remember his first pass in a game. My comment was quickly 'did you see that release'. I didn't become a fan of his then but I sure did take notice this might not be your regular UDFA scrub.

 

[noshame]

Then we are brothers in arms!

Yeah, really old brothers in arms.

 

[BigStar]

It's has been 25 TC's up to this point but really only focusing on the daily ins/outs about a decade ago. The internet has really made TC a much more fan friendly avenue to gauge a team's off season progress. Our summary beat writers on the forum are amazing at even giving a play by play run down and other specific tidbits that the media fails to mention. TC is very interesting and a very exciting event for me thought I do hold my breath every morning clicking on the Zone to see if a coveted player went down by injury. Never personally been but would bring my Sun Tan Lotion (Sunny reference) and have a great time. I was really pumped for the 2008/2010 TC's because they followed our playoff seasons. They didn't work out as planned unfortunately.

 

[DallasCowboysRule!]

This will be my 18th year as a fan. I've attended 3 training camps.

 

[randy932]

holy smokes! 55 training camps? This upcoming is 55. You must be an old bugger.

Well, some may think so. LOL.

 

[randy932]

I'm sry ur so old but congrats for being so loyal since the beginning. We don't have many here who've followed since 1960.

No need to be sorry. After all, that is the aim of the game, to end up just as old as you can be. Just try to enjoy the trip.

Oh yeah, I was watching the Dallas Texans before that, but I was just a little tyke, but I already was being taught football by my dad and uncles.

 

[Pabst]

I've only personally been to one training camp. I took a trip with my father down to San Antonio in Parcells' first year as coach. I learned three things.

First, even that scrub undrafted rookie quarterback that stays late throwing passes to the scrub undrafted wide receivers can make something of himself.

Two, if you want to chat with some players after practice, find the nearest bar. They weren't hard to find on the Riverwalk.

Finally, Chad Hutchinson is the only person dumb enough to sign an autograph using a silver sharpie pen on the silver part of a cowboys helmet.

Edit - Oh, and calling Jason Witten "rocky top tennessee" will make him turn around and give you an autograph.

 

[pupulehaole]

Been a fan since I was 4, am 28 now. Been to one training camp.

 

[Gridiron Man]

Celebrating 40 this year. Don't remember the early camps since I was too young to appreciate them. I was discovering football and the Cowboys as a child.

 

[DandyDon1722]

47 for me. After crying like a baby following the '66 and '67 Packer games I started reading everything I could about the Cowboys. I knew about Thousands Oaks, CA at 8 years old.

Growing up in western NY, south of Buffalo, I never got to attend a camp but then moved to LA and I've been to every one in Oxnard and it's a phenomenal experience. Ironically, to get to Oxnard from Hollywood you take the 101 which goes right through Thousand Oaks and Cal Lutheran which finally puts a place to a 50 year memory. I try to look for old bars to see maybe if it was a place where Meredith and Lily and Perkins and Bob Hayes would hang out after practice. It was probably very different back then.

 

[DWhite Fan]

This is number 39 for me

 

[SoCalCowboyFan]

37 for me, been to 4. 3 in Oxnard and 1 in San Antonio.

Most memorable was the TC before the 2006 season. My then 11 yo son was in line for autographs and after all the players came were out on the field, he came over to where I was standing. He was telling me how Drew Bledsoe picked up a little girl to take a photo with. I asked him if he got any autographs. He said only one. Showed me the football I bought him and says to me "Dad who is that." I told him "That's Tony Romo, the back up QB that might never see the field unless Bledsoe gets hurt." He then says, "Awe man I wish I woulda got someone good" LOL! Well we know what happened the rest of the '06 season.

 

[windward]

I started following the team from preseason/training camp in 1988, so 26 years.

 

[MRV52]

42nd for me